Manuel M. Mota

Portuguese guitarist Manuel M. Mota was born during 1970 in Lisboa - first picking up the instrument at the age of 15. Although he was initially interested in blues rock, it didn't take long before Mota began pursuing more experimental and improv-based music during the late '80s, around the same time he started performing before audiences. The guitarist has subsequently issued recordings on his own, in addition to collaborations with others, and during the late '90s, found the time to create his own label, Headlights, and even earned a degree in architecture. Thus far, Mota has appeared on several compilations, in addition to such solo releases as 1995's Environment Analysis Report, 1999's I Wish I'd Never Met You, and 2001's For Your Protection Why Don't You Just Paint Yourself Real Good Like An Indian. Collaborations with others soon followed as well, including 1998's Chasing Sonic Booms with Rafael Toral, 2000's Circunscrita with David Maranha, and a pair of releases with Sei Miguel, 1999's Token and 2002's Still Alive in Bairro Alto. Mota also often finds himself involved with another outfit, Acção Total (which includes members Craig Flanagin, Margarida Garcia, and Michelle Dorvillier), and has performed in both Europe and the U.S. Meanwhile, Mota's label continues to issue albums by other artists, including Swallow by the American post-punk outfit God is my Co-Pilot, an outfit that has already recorded with the likes of Elliott Sharp and John Zorn. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide